I’m not typically a dramatic person unless I’m serenading my husband with a Celine Dion song or talking to Raffi through Mr. Bear the Puppet. When I say that scheduled naps have changed my life, the drama is there for a reason.

They. Have. Changed. My. Life.

I thrive on a routine, and I hated that I never knew when Raffi would be tired and in need of a nap. We would be shopping at Target in Cherry Hill, NJ (a 20 minute drive away) when suddenly he would rub his eyes and yawn. My heart would race and my hands would get sweaty. What do I do now?, I’d think as I flew to the checkout lane, which of course was flooded with people with full carts and too many coupons to count. I’d sprint to the car, and on the ride home I’d scream songs from my teenage years in the most obnoxious voice I know. Isn’t it ironicccccccc, don’t you thinkkkkk would be yelled on repeat as we suffered the bridge traffic and hit every red light in our neighborhood. Every time Raffi’s eyes would start to close I’d sing and simultaneously reach back to tickle him and keep him awake.

No one wants to lose that precious naptime by having a baby sleeping in a car.

Now I know when to expect him to be tired. By both following his cues and somewhat forcing naps at the same time each day, we’ve found the best times for naps. I know things will change soon as they always do, but for now his naps are at 9 and 2. That means that I have from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM every single day to do whatever we please. We don’t need to stay in a 15 minute walking radius from the house and I definitely don’t have to sing obnoxious songs in the car anymore. Life seems easy and relaxing, and Raffi is napping even better than usual. It’s a win for all.

My sleep obsession continues, but it looks like my madness has paid off. Naps on a schedule are my favorite.

Do you schedule naps? When did you switch over from simply following cues? We made the switch right at 8 months, and I’m never looking back. In fact, with another child I might start scheduling them much sooner.

Oh, and remember that post about rocking him to sleep? He already stopped letting me rock him. I’m glad I savored it while I could, because my little dinosaur is back and he needs to be alone with his giraffe lovey (different from the one here) in order to sleep.

Sabrina, of RhodeyGirl Tests, had her first boy in September 2011 with her husband Trig. At the time of this post Raffi was 8.5 months old and Sabrina was still obsessed with sleep. You can read other related posts on her blog.

116 Responses to Do you schedule your life around nap time?

We don’t do schedules. I was surrounded by people before my daughter with schedules and routines they all seemed resentful and the kids cranky in unison at 6:45 ready for bedtime routines. I hated it and they would say wait and see!!! My daughter was born premature and with multiple issues (healthy now) I was afraid to do anything she would run fevers of 105 or have bronchitis and worse for weeks on end and we never left the house!! After we figured out her immune system was compromised we needed to learn to live.- My mother told me opposite of my hyper vigilant friends who advised me of setting limits and schedules and routines she said “live life and she will learn to live it with you!” no matter what ailments come up kids adapt to what you do. It has been my motto ever since we go everywhere and anywhere and no worries on time. I can’t hang out with my friends who have kids in routines but we can go to 5 star restaurants and have late dinners, and I have had the opportunity to sit on a beach and watch her awe as 9:45 pm fireworks displays went off, took her to Disney and she was perfect and I can not believe till today how easy going and flexible she is. My friends “lectured and warned” but they all in unison now have said how amazingly easy going, passive and happy she is no matter what time it is. I think all parents need to follow their heart and do what is best for them. All I can say Is my little miracle baby is a big girl now and she gets plenty of sleep wherever and whenever she needs it and I get secret extra moments with her which as a working mom we all know are hard to come by when your doing bedtime routines an hour after you walk in the door!!! Trust yourselves parents and do what’s best for you and your lifestyle and remember that flexibility in children isn’t always as negative as some believe.

TylersMummysays:

June 12, 2012 at 1:52 pm

I followed Gina Fords routine from 9 months and its fab!! Tyler only has one nap now hes 18 months and its from 12.30 to 2.30 every single day, while the morning is great for us to go places, them 2 hours are so peaceful and a time for me to really get things done, naps are cool

Krissays:

June 12, 2012 at 1:54 pm

I work 2- 12 hr nights a week as a nurse. 2 days/ week, my daughter (21 months) gets a lazy day and great 2 hr nap with me (if I work that night); 1 day/ week she’s at my mom’s all day (so i can sleep) 1day/ week, my MIL’s (so i can sleep) then the other 3 days are on the go (my nights off).

We are completely flexible with time/place for naps because our priority is never using/paying daycare/non-family. It works for us, most of the time. Except, as I am writing this (345pm), I’ve been up since yesterday 7am. I ran errands instead of going home to sleep, now i can’t sleep. At least I never work
2 nights in a row.

My daughter, on the other hand, had a 2 hr nap yesterday, slept from 9p-7p with husband, then 2 hr nap with grandma today.

Kendalsays:

June 12, 2012 at 1:55 pm

I can’t schedule naps at my house as hard as I try. My daughter just turned two and some days she may nap at noon, other days if I put her down at noon she screams for half an hour and refuses to sleep so I just go get her up. It’s terrible. I have anxiety issues anyways and this nap issue can literally ruin my entire day. I hate listening to her scream, she sounds terrified and when she refuses to nap at a decent time we can’t go anywhere because go forbid she fall asleep in the car, you will never get her out without waking her up and it’s over… there will be no nap. This is a very stressful issue for me as she will not seem to agree with any schedule, even at day care thay have problems with her refusing and disrupting everyone else. I am at a loss.

melsays:

June 12, 2012 at 2:01 pm

My son will be 4 next month, yes 4! And he still naps from 1 pm to 3 pm each day. It’s required. He needs it and I have to defend it to everyone given his age. If he doesn’t have the nap he is a nighmare. Strict sleep schedules keep him and me sane. Down by 9, up at 7:30 and his nap from 1-3.

Mommaoftwinssays:

June 12, 2012 at 2:05 pm

We started right at about one month. It might have been wrong but when one ate I fed the other, when one slept I put the other one down for a nap. After about 3 weeks they started to sync up. eating was at 6am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, midnight, 3am then start all over again. Nap time fell about 1 hour after eating for 1-2 hours, after about 3 months they started to sleep through the night and naps started to get shorter. At about 6 months bed time was 7pm and up at 8am. Naps were 10-12 and 2-4. I have been told I am very lucky to have such good sleepers! I am vert thankful!

Juliesays:

June 12, 2012 at 2:09 pm

We learned quickly to respect the nap! My youngest is just starting to grow out of naps altogether (she’ll be 5 years old next month!) We give her the option of rest time or nap time (if we’re home) and 9 times out of 10 she chooses a nap. We’ve been living our lives around nap schedules for the last 9 years. It took some adjusting at first, but it’s totally worth it! It gets much easier when they’re down to one nap, which for us was around 18 months.

Lindseysays:

June 12, 2012 at 2:15 pm

My 18 mo old son still naps. Only 1 nap though, he refuses 2. It’s hard because some days he wants to take a 4 hr nap! I try to let him sleep until he’s ready to get up, but like today, he wouldn’t nap until 4:30. So unless I want his whole routine off, I’ll have to get him up about 7.
Big sigh for days like today. Just hoping for an easier one tomorrow!

kaleighsmomsays:

June 12, 2012 at 2:16 pm

We deffently obey the nap time rule. It makes life so much easier and more peaceful. Kaleigh’s 2nd birthday party is the weekend at 4. So meny people have been barking at me, why is it so late? They ask. Well Kaleigh naps from about 12:30 to 3. I need her to take her nap. So I can get things ready and then she’s not crankie at her own birthday party. I have been to soo meny birthday parties that have been during her nap. And they were hard to do. I do things around her nap time to make life just a little easier. If my husbands home, sometimes I do errans, or see a movie. She wakes up and she’s a little Angle. Rescpect the NAP!!!

Linisays:

June 12, 2012 at 2:26 pm

Love the scheduled naps! Yes, they do make it hard on you for the first few years, but the benefits of a nap are so much greater. The brain rests and kids grow when they sleep. Have you ever not had enough sleep and get anxious and jittery, well only imagine what happens to a child in the same situation. I am not a dictator when it comes to naps, but I make them a very important part of my kids routine. I have read books on the importance of sleep and I have seen the effects the lack of proper rest does on your kids.

Katiesays:

June 12, 2012 at 2:28 pm

I have to say that I am nap OBSESSED! I was pretty strict about getting my now 3 year old on a schedule when he was a baby and it has GREATLY paid off. Bedtime is never a struggle and he still will nap for about 2 hours on the weekends- daycare is another story! Now my 8 month old is also fallen into a great routine. He takes 2 naps a day- always around 9:30 or 10-12 and then 2:30 or 3- 5. Bed is around 7:30 and he just rolls right over and goes to sleep for 11 hours straight. I am a firm firm FIRM believer in a schedule, and while some of my friends may think I am too crazy with it- it makes all of our lives easier and less stressful. Any time I have a friend who is pregnant I preach the importance of a routine/schedule!!!!! I had to laugh about the situation in Target- I have definitely been the singing, windows down, jiggling the foot to keep them awake mom!!!!

Lizsays:

June 12, 2012 at 3:02 pm

Abso-friggin’lutely I schedule life around nap time One, I think kids — at least my kid — do so much better with a set routine they can rely on and a comfortable place to sleep. Two, I need a break that I can rely on! But seriously, my daughter is generally a pretty awesome sleeper — she’s 2 yrs old and sleeps 7-7 at night, and naps from around 12:30 until 2:30 / 3:00. She’s happy, rarely cranky, super healthy and I think largely because of a good sleep routine. We focused on getting her on a routine early on (like 1 month old) and followed the Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems recommendation. Important to note that it’s a routine, not a schedule — so times certainly slide a bit here and there, but in general, it’s about helping them know when to expect meals, naps, playtime and bedtime, and the order they come in/ what to do for each of the activities, etc. There will be many years ahead without naps that will allow for freedom during the day, so I’m very willing to give up a few years in exchange for a happy well rested kid (and mommy).

Chadsays:

June 12, 2012 at 3:22 pm

Naps are not scheduled for our 13 month old daughter. She does have routine but it all depends on when she wakes up. Sometimes it’s 1-3 naps per day. She is flexible as is our schedule. If there is something we need to do as parents, we do it and our daughter adjusts. Generally she is up for 3 hours before we put her down but can make it 6 hours. Nice thing is if she had gotten to that point where she needs a nap, she will fall asleep anywhere.

Tamsays:

June 12, 2012 at 3:36 pm

We too are nap schedulers. My son is 18 months. Since he was around 6 months he has had two solid naps a day. One at 9.30am and the next at 2pm. First is usually shorter (an hour) and I do now sometimes wake him after 30 mins so I know we can do things from 10am-2pm. This made a big difference. If I want a home day, which is often now as pregnant with no. 2 (and nauseous/exhausted) then I never wake him. Last month we did a week long road trip and he had to nap in the car, stroller, Grandpa’s arms. The timings were off but he still napped twice every day! Was glad to see that despite being on a strict routine at home, he was flexible away from home. He also seemed to know how/when to take a nap as a habit. Am happy for the two naps to continue as long as he likes…

melissandrasays:

June 12, 2012 at 3:54 pm

if im at home all day, we have a schedule for my 23mo son. however, if i have to do appointments i try to be home in time for lunch and nap, but there is no guarentee. im doing all my errands on foot or via bus. on days when i have an appt that is say, a 3hr 1 way trip on the bus, my son gets some sleep on the bus, and possibly some in the afternoon after we get home. if i know he didnt get enough of a nap, i can expect for him to get cranky around supper time and want to go to bed around an hour earlier than normal to catch up on the sleep he missed. i get up at 8:30, he gets up around 7-7:30. but that gives him some time to wake up enough to where he wants to eat his breakfast. he eats lunch at noon, and is down for his nap by 1, up by 3

Yes, we have scheduled naps. It’s a loose schedule, but I put my 12-month-old down anywhere between 8:45 and 9:15ish for his first nap and then between 1:30 and 2 for his second. He generally takes about 10-20 minutes to fall asleep and I have from about 10-1:30 to be free to do anything. Some days he gets up late in the morning (like today) and I have to back it up a good 30 minutes or more, so it’s really based off a combination of cues and schedule.

mountainmomsays:

June 12, 2012 at 4:57 pm

LOVE scheduled nap time. We started at 4 mo. 10 and 2 pm. Then went to just 1 pm at about 18mo. Our son will be 3 in 2wks and still takes a 2-3hr nap…but is up at 5:30 every morning!!!

Winniesays:

June 12, 2012 at 5:54 pm

Who can actually make a baby sleep? My daughter schedules her own nap times. She trained me to support them. The times have shifted over the months and, yes, my schedule revolves around them. I will not schedule things when I know it is in the window of time when she usually naps.
When it looks like she is going to skip a nap we go to bed together. She will sleep on me when she won’t sleep alone. And she is sooooo much happier when she naps!

Yes!!!
Usually nap time is done when it is only my son and I home alone. If my daughter is home from school and we are home I may have them nap, but usually just have them settle down for quiet time and we watch t.v., read books, or write. If we go out and about to a family or friends home, we do not have nap time and it kills me…
It makes me so frustrated to go to someone else’s home and not get a moment of silence….So we stay home a lot.

Heather Ksays:

June 12, 2012 at 7:21 pm

We always tried to schedule naps, but I created the schedule around when they were tired. I know they nap at 8:30am and 1pm. I don’t think it’s fair to them to expect them to sleep in a stroller or in the car, after all, I know I sleep much better in bed and I feel much more rested when I get good sleep. I have twins so ‘on the go’ isn’t really a way of life with twins. My daughter usually sleeps a little later than my son so they both still get the amount of sleep best for them. My 5 year old daughter still naps some days as well, she just needs the sleep.

Lilsays:

June 12, 2012 at 7:31 pm

Everything must be scheduled. Meals and sleep must occur at the same time/right time because my girl is so sensitive that if we are 30 minutes late for a nap her schedule’s off for a day or more and she is an absolute bear. She has never slept in the car or her stroller and has never just fallen asleep on the floor, the high chair or playing. We have to do “the routine” before every sleep and sleep has to be at home, in her own crib. I know some kids who can go with the flow but she’s so not one of them! I do feel like I can’t go anywhere but this time won’t last long and for now, this is what she needs.

Stacysays:

June 12, 2012 at 7:35 pm

Some of this sounds vaguely familiar, the scheduling around naps. But being a full time working mom, my babysitter nap time schedule for the kids has alwayd been a bit early and the meer fact that my daughter has ALWAYS fought naps tooth and nail since the beginning. She is a super all night sleeper, with rare exceptions, since almost 2 weeks. But for me a nap is only a battle to the end or a car ride. Every book and method tried…I wasn’t a napper in my day either…still can’t! No maTter how tired!

KarenJsays:

June 12, 2012 at 7:48 pm

It just depend on your kid-and on your personality type. I would go crazy trying to stick to a nap schedule at home. And we have always had really flexible, happy kids who could go a bit longer if necessary, slept well,slept anywhere, and could be transferred from car to bed if necessary. My sister in law had kids who would only, and I mean only, sleep happily in their own bed-quite a problem! Other friends essentially disappeared from view for a couple of years. Their strict schedule kept them sane…it seemed crazy to us! But different kids in our family have been sounder sleepers than others-I was terrified of accidentally waking our oldest (of 4), knowing that that would be it. Whereas the middle two were more likely to roll over and go back to sleep.
You do what you need to; you fit around who you get and who you are.

Carriesays:

June 12, 2012 at 8:29 pm

I followed her cues from the beginning and that became the schedule. Now, she’s like a clock for sleeping. As we get into summer (I’m a teacher) and she nears two, her down times have varied, but only by an hour or less.

Cherrillsays:

June 12, 2012 at 8:50 pm

My daughter started a scheduled nap time at 4 months. It is the best thing I ever did! Yes, I have a strict schedule, but in the end it pays off! My daughter wakes up every morning at 9 am. She naps from 11-1 pm (I wake her up from this nap every day!) and then again from 3:30-5:30 and then she goes to bed every night at 8pm. She never fights naps or bed time and is the best sleeper I have ever had! I totally believe the schedule is what makes her sleep so great! She is 9.5 months old now and is the easiest baby ever to get to take naps and go to bed!

Chelseasays:

June 12, 2012 at 9:23 pm

This is my life exactly! I could have written this myself. Especially the part about freaking out with heart racing and sweaty hands when the baby gets tired away from home! I am totally a slave to my son’s naps and sleep schedule. There’s no other way!

Julianasays:

June 12, 2012 at 9:45 pm

How do you do anything of you are chained to the house all day? I am so grateful if my son sleeps in the car, I go crazy if I’m stuck at home and he often gets fussy in the car, he loves moving and being strapped in is not his favorite, so a car nap means a peaceful drive for me. I have a friend who must do all naps at home, it seems so restrictive.

Christinesays:

June 13, 2012 at 1:24 am

I have never understood this mentality. Whats wrong with letting them sleep in the car or stroller if you have to be out? No way I’m going to rush home or force my child to stay awake until I get home–that seems quite cruel. If they fall asleep in the car, when you get home you pick them up and carry them to their bed and lay them down, no big deal. I have many children, and this insanity as described would cause me to be insane. Just today I was at the library, and LO went to sleep in her stroller. Plus, I often have to pick up or drop off older children during “naptime.” Why? I don’t get it.

I was one who had scheduled naps in my bed as a child. Still to this day I can only sleep in bed. My children, however, can sleep any where whenever they are sleepy. I’M the weird, not-well-adjusted one. They are flexible and adaptable.

Christinesays:

June 13, 2012 at 1:34 am

“I am too crazy with it- it makes all of our lives easier and less stressful. Any time I have a friend who is pregnant I preach the importance of a routine/schedule!!!!! I had to laugh about the situation in Target- I have definitely been the singing, windows down, jiggling the foot to keep them awake mom!!!!”

Seriously?! How is thus less stressful than just letting him fall asleep in the car? Not trying to start something, but this seems contradictory.

Cassiesays:

June 13, 2012 at 6:02 am

Absolutely yes! I work from home and I get the bulk of my work done while my son is napping. He’s 2 now, so it’s getting harder to guarantee hours of work while he’s snoozing, but he thrives best on a schedule. He’s a sweetheart but if he doesn’t get his nap neither he nor mama are happy. I’ve done the tickle trick in the car too!

Kaylasays:

June 13, 2012 at 6:13 am

I never scheduled my kids nap times. If they were tired then I’d put them in their beds. If we were out then they would nap in the car or push chair. For me the idea of having to stay at home so they could sleep made me feel like I was trapped. The mother also has a life and needs to get things done outside of the home so for me my kids went around the family.

Courtsays:

June 13, 2012 at 8:06 am

Hell no I do not structure anything around naptime. My kids slept in the car, their cribs, the couch, anywhere. They slept at naptime or later, if we were doing something at naptime. I also did not keep the house quiet while they were sleeping. Now, they are flexible and can sleep anywhere and at any time and they can sleep through noise. Catering to a child’s naptime is setting them up for finicky sleeping.

Geronimasays:

June 13, 2012 at 9:43 am

I completely agree, I did not feel a slave if naps I just felt and still do that everybody wins. They know what to expect , we can plan our outings and everybody sleeps better. My twin boys are almost 3 and still napping since they do not sleep more than 10 hrs a night no matercwhat. I love their nap times it is a nice break for everyone

Scarlettsmommsays:

June 13, 2012 at 10:43 am

My baby Naps from 12:30 to 3 every day. I’m not that strict about it. Sometimes she is tired by 11:30 sometimes 1. But never later than 1. It is usually a 2 and 1/2 hour nap to sometimes 4 hours nap.

Scarlettsmommsays:

June 13, 2012 at 10:52 am

Sometimes driving in the car was the only way to get my kids to fall a sleep. I don’t see what is wrong with it. If they are in the car and they are falling a sleep WHY would you keep them awake? That sounds crazy does anyone else think so? . Let the kids sleep if they are tired! If I want to go to bed early I wouldn’t want any one to wake me up. People need to be a little flexible. We have A normal routine when we are at home. But come on seriously?

Mandysays:

June 13, 2012 at 11:20 am

I totally schedule my day around nap time! I don’t see anything wrong with it…gives us busy moms a break..My son is also a really good napper he’ll be 2 in two weeks! Ever since he was about 10 months old he’s been taking one good nap from 2 til 5 and I also had problems with him wanting to stay up super late at night. Then I started taking him outside when he wakes up and let him get out some pint up energy…it also makes him hungry..so then we have dinner and I take him back outside to walk the dogs by the time we get back from that he’s usually ASKING to go night night! Maybe this could help some of the moms who are having trouble putting their little ones to bed at night?!

Joysays:

June 13, 2012 at 12:22 pm

With our 18 month old we started off giving him two naps a day. But I keep running into the problem of him wanting to get in the crib and play instead of taking a nap. So know he just takes one nap a day about 9:30 and wakes up between 11 and 12. I think this is maybe the only way I can make sure he will really take a nap. It has been working for know. The down fall it seems is not being able to get certain things done with in that window. Nap time is a must for me, it’s always good to have some quiet time even if you are running around the house trying to get everything done within those couple of hours. lol

Sarah Rsays:

June 13, 2012 at 12:44 pm

When my daughter was younger we just followed her cues and let her nap when she wanted. As she got older (about 7 months) I realized that she was starting to need a routine to prevent cranky baby from showing up. It was A LOT of work to establish her routine but it was well worth it. We always had an hour or so flex time so it isn’t completely set in stone. But she’s always gone to bed and woken up at the same time so it’s quite predictable. When she turned 12 months she only wanted one 2-3 hour nap a day around 1pm. She will be 18 months next week and is still on this schedule. I enjoy her predictability but it can be quite limiting when planning an outing with naptime falling smack in the middle of the day…but as long as she’s happy

Kelley Ringsays:

June 13, 2012 at 2:02 pm

Scheduled nap is a must. It does make some days hectic. I know that my daughter needs the nap and wants her nap. Three hours a day. If she misses her nap, her demeanor rarely changes, but she will make up for missing it some time during the week with an extra long nap. I need the down time too!
We have been scheduling naps for 2-1/2 years. I am hoping it lasts as long as possible.

I think trying to keep your baby awake in the car so you can make the most of your time during their nap time is selfish. If you aren’t scheduling your day around their naps, then don’t try to schedule their naps around your day. Their naps fall in line with their sleep cycles, and keeping them awake so you can lay them down at home instead of letting them fall asleep in their carseat, which is obviously comfortable enough for a nap, messes with their sleep cycle and could reduce the amount of, or even eliminate, the naptime. Either be home and ready for a nap, or just let them doze off where they are comfortably resting. My husband wakes me up during movies instead of just letting me doze, and I HATE it, so I don’t do that to my baby.

Kaylasays:

June 13, 2012 at 3:18 pm

I generally need naps as much as my kids do, so YES! I schedule the whole day around them, and it’s always horrible if we happen to run too long doing errands etc. It’s just SO much easier to get things done and plan if I know when the down time will be! I’m not looking forward to the newborn stage coming up again soon, because their sleep schedule is so random…

anna donaldsays:

June 13, 2012 at 5:27 pm

i have twins…. SCHEDUAL means i get things done…. i also have an older son who i would make them all sleep at the same time in the afternoon… i had many a nap myself…

Really importnant, dont let others tell you what to do… it is your sanity you are talking about

Jessisays:

June 14, 2012 at 10:36 pm

both my kids have learned to sleep wherever we are, bowling, concerts, shopping, b-day partues, you name ut. which is great because the 3 month old is somewhat unpredictable about sleeping. my son stopped napping around 6 months and i expect the new one will do the same. bt we did and will have a rest time where they have to be laying down / in bed doing something quietly (reading to his lovey was jak’s favorite). even that gives them the energy to get thr the day.

Ashleysays:

June 15, 2012 at 4:07 am

My son has always been on scheduled naptimes since he was about 4 months old. Starting at that age, his nap times were 10am and 3pm. Now that he’s almost 18 months, he only needs one nap per day and ot usually happens at 1 pm. If he’s really tired, he may fall asleep at noon. I love having scheduled nap times. It makes life so much easier!

Sandisays:

June 15, 2012 at 10:04 am

We absolutely schedule naps, and for all the PPs who seem to think that means we need to “control” our kids, try thinking of it in a different light. I also follow my children’s cues regarding when they are sleepy. But I think I’m being respectful of my kids when I make sure I am home, and they can get to their beds when they’re tired. Instead of asking them to sleep on the floor of someone else’s home. We do the same with meals – we anticipate when our children will be hungry, and offer them a meal. Would you wait till your child was yelling and HUNGRY to start cooking? No. So yes, I schedule naps, in that I can approximate when my kids will want to nap, and make sure I’m in my house, not in line at the grocery store, so they can get their naps in. It’s only for a few years, and it certainly doesn’t ruin my life.

Courtneysays:

June 15, 2012 at 11:09 am

HUGE life changer: “Healthy Sleep Habitts, Happy Child” by Dr. Weissbluth. If you want your child to sleep well, at night, in the day, and be fully rested – this book is great. We schedule naps, but also go on cues a little because some days are just a little different than others. For the most part, she sleeps 12-13 hours a night, and now takes 2 naps (just went down from 3 naps a few weeks ago)everyday. We are always getting told “what a happy baby she is!!” I think being well rested has a lot to do with it.

Lindasays:

June 15, 2012 at 11:25 am

We definitely use scheduled naps. At first, our daughter was on two naps a day, but when she seemed like she wasn’t even remotely tired for the first nap time consistently, we switched to one nap a day.
Now she naps from about 12 – 2 every day and I LOVE that quiet time. I feel like it is so much better knowing when she needs to nap. I don’t understand how people can function that don’t use scheduled nap times. I would be a crazy mess if that were me!

Heathersays:

June 15, 2012 at 11:26 am

Oh yes our whole existence revolves around nap time for our 3 boys! The baby still takes 2 – 3 naps per day but the older boys go down at noon everyday and wake up at 2. If we have things to do on the weekends during our nap time, it is like defcon 5 level of panic of “OMG WHAT WILL WE DO?!?!” Sometimes they have to go without naps when we have busy Saturday activities but we have “before nap” errands and “after nap” fun times. After our family watched the havoc that no naps cause, they have also (without us asking or saying a word) started planning things for later in the afternoon so that it’s not so hard on us to attend/participate. Scheduled naps are good for EVERYONE! I love the occasional “Family Nap” that we get, as well, if there’s that off chance that there’s absolutely nothing that needs to be done during nap time.

Kimsays:

June 15, 2012 at 11:36 am

— Every time Raffi’s eyes would start to close I’d sing and simultaneously reach back to tickle him and keep him awake.

No one wants to lose that precious naptime by having a baby sleeping in a car. —

Bahhahahaahahh, this made me laugh my you know what off! Soooooo true!!!!!

My little girl has about the same sleep schedule, too. Amazing how much has changed in a short 9 months isn’t it! They are growing so fast.

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Royal baby fever is back! With less than a month to go until Kate’s due date – rumor has it that April 25 is the big day – everyone’s talking about the royal baby on the way. Who will be in the delivery room? What names are at the top of Kate and William’s list?… Read more »